Well, friends, we have news. And the news is poop. Specifically, poop bacteria. In the water.
On Friday evening, Connecticut Water issued a mandatory boil water order after routine testing found E. coli at a sample point in Essex. If you live in Essex, Deep River, Chester, Haddam, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton, Madison, or Guilford and you’re on Connecticut Water, this means you.
Here’s everything you need to know to keep your family safe – the two-legged members AND the four-legged ones:
First, the human rules
Until the order is lifted, CT public health guidance says to bring your tap water to a rolling boil for one full minute, then let it cool before you:
- Drink it
- Cook with it
- Make ice
- Brush your teeth
- Wash dishes (or run your dishwasher on the sanitize cycle)
You CAN still shower, bathe, do laundry, and clean with regular tap water – just don’t drink it. So no, you don’t have to skip your shower. Your dog walker thanks you. One thing a lot of people miss: your Brita or fridge filter does not remove bacteria. Those filters are built for taste and chlorine, not for E. coli. Boiled or bottled only, friends.
Yes, this applies to your dog too
Dogs can absolutely get sick from E. coli, just like people. And we know what you’re thinking – “my dog eats goose poop like it’s a charcuterie board, surely his stomach can handle anything.” We admire the confidence. But contaminated drinking water is a different beast than the occasional snack of shame on a trail, and there’s no reason to risk it.
Here’s your pet checklist:
1. Give pets boiled-and-cooled or bottled water only. Same rule as humans. If you’re boiling a big pot for the family, boil a little extra for the water bowl.
2. Wash the water bowl too. Dump it, wash it with boiled or bottled water (or run it through a sanitizing dishwasher cycle), and refill with safe water. A clean bowl full of sketchy water defeats the purpose.
3. Close the toilet lid. We know. Some dogs treat the toilet like a personal water fountain. This week, that fountain is closed for renovations. Lid down.
4. Skip the hose and outdoor spigots. Same water, same problem. If your pup loves biting the hose spray in this heat, swap in a kiddie pool filled with safe water instead.
5. Ice cubes count. If your freezer’s icemaker runs on tap water, those cubes are a no-go for the dog’s water bowl (and your iced coffee). Toss what’s in there and start fresh once the order lifts.
6. Watch wet food prep. If you add water to kibble or mix up anything for your pet, use boiled-and-cooled or bottled water.
7. Extra caution for the vulnerable crew. Puppies, senior dogs, and pets with compromised immune systems are at higher risk – the same way infants, young children, and elderly folks are for humans. If that’s your pet, be extra strict about the safe-water rule.
8. Know the warning signs. In dogs, an E. coli infection usually shows up as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or lethargy. If your pet shows these symptoms in the next several days, call your vet. Most cases are mild, but your vet would rather hear from you early.
And yes, this applies to cats, hedgehogs, and every other creature in your house who drinks water. We checked with Gnocchi. He was unhelpful, but the rule stands.
Where to fill up your water jugs (for free!)
Connecticut Water has set up free potable water tankers at:
- Essex Fire Department
- John Winthrop Middle School, Deep River (serving the Essex area)
- Westbrook Fire Department
- Madison Commuter Lot (off I-95, Exit 61)
Bring your own clean jugs or containers. And if Friday night’s grocery store lines taught us anything, it’s that the tankers are a much better bet than fighting someone for the last case of Poland Spring.
How long will this last?
Hopefully not long! Connecticut Water expects new test results Saturday evening, and if the water comes back clean, the order could lift quickly. For the latest status, check the official alerts page at ctwater.com – don’t rely on the neighborhood Facebook group, which currently contains 400 comments and zero verified facts.
Our restaurants need us right now
Here’s the part of this story that hurts the most. While the rest of us are inconvenienced, our local restaurants have been told to close entirely until the order lifts. Health code doesn’t allow food establishments to operate on a “just boil it” basis – so they’re shut down, on a summer weekend, through no fault of their own.
Think about that. A July Saturday on the Shoreline is the Super Bowl for these places, and they’re sitting dark with staff sent home and food in the walk-in.
So here’s our ask: when this lifts (hopefully any minute now), show up for them the way they always show up for us. And in the meantime:
- Buy a gift card online today. It’s cash in their pocket right now, when they need it, and a great meal in your future. Most spots sell them right on their websites – Liv’s has them here and Doro’s are here, for starters.
- Order takeout or book a table the DAY they reopen. They’ll need a big comeback weekend.
- Tip like you mean it when you go back. Their staff just lost shifts they were counting on.
- Leave a glowing review or share their posts. It’s free and it matters more than you think.
A few of our absolute favorites we’ll be first in line for: Drift, Mirsina’s, Ashlawn Farm Coffee, Doro Marketplace, Swell, Sweet Luna’s, Liv’s Oyster Bar, and Penny Lane Pub. If you’ve never been to any of these, consider this your sign. Dogs are welcome at some of their outdoor spaces too, which makes them extra perfect in our book.
This community takes care of each other – that goes for the humans making our food, not just the dogs walking our trails.
What we’re doing at Shoreline Happy Paws
Our team is following all of the above on every visit, walk, hike, and boarding stay:
- Fresh, safe water (boiled-and-cooled or bottled) for every pet in our care
- Water bowls sanitized before refilling
- Extra water packed for Adventure Hikes so nobody’s tempted by a puddle, stream, or suspicious hose
- Eyes on every pup for any signs of tummy trouble, with immediate updates to you if anything seems off
If your dog is boarding with us or has visits scheduled this week, you don’t need to do anything – we’ve got it covered. If you have questions or want us to grab water from a tanker station for your pet during a visit, just reach out. Seriously, we’re happy to do it.
The bottom line
Boil it, bottle it, or skip it. Keep the toilet lid down. Watch your pup for tummy trouble. Buy a gift card to your favorite local restaurant. And check ctwater.com before you go back to drinking straight from the tap.
We’ll get through this together, Shoreline. Probably by Sunday. In the meantime, stay hydrated (safely), keep those water bowls clean, and give your dog a scratch from all of us.
Questions about your pet’s care this week? Call or text us at 860-964-0464 – we’re here.
